The Burning of Washington 1814

The Burning of Washington DC 1814 Join my Supporter’s Club On the 24th August 1814, British troops captured the capital of the USA, Washington DC and proceeded to burn down the Capitol Building and the Presidential Mansion, more commonly known as The White House. It is the only time that the armies of a foreign power have ever occupied the American capital. This is the story of an event that most brits have hardly heard of, and if they have it is merely the headline with which we like to tease our American friends. Why did the burning of Washington happen? What happened at the burning of Washington? What happened after the burning of Washington DC This is the story of the British Burning of Washington in August 1814 The burning of Washington occurred during a war that broke out between Great Britain and the USA in 1812 and lasted until 1815. Despite the fact that by August 1814 it was still rumbling along it is confusingly called the War of 1812. The causes for the war have been outlined in my recent video which gave a summary of the whole war. Suffice to say that this North American conflict was a spin off from the Napoleonic War between Britain and France. In 1814, the defeat of Napoleon suddenly freed up the Royal Navy and experienced British troops that could be sent across the Atlantic an take the war to the Americans. As the Governor of Canada prepared to invade new York state, a diversionary campaign was conducted by the British in the Chesapeake Bay Area. It was this Chesapeake Campaign that was to led to the burning of Washington. The Chesapeake Campaign was a joint Royal Navy / British army operation commanded by Rear Admiral George Cockburn and Major General Ross. Before landing the British army, Cockburn and the Royal Navy had to eliminate could the Chesapeake Flotilla, commanded by Commodore Joshua Barney. Having done so, Ross was able to land at Benedict. Faced with a choice whether to attack Baltimore or Washington, Cockburn convinced Ross to go for the capital. The following morning 24 August 1814, his highly experienced army swept aside a US force at the Battle of Blandensburg. The defeat at Blandensburg was recorded as “the greatest disgrace ever dealt to American Arms”. Another author referred to it as “The most humiliating episode in American history.” The British now advanced into the capital unopposed on the 24 August 1814. The British now proceeded to burn the principle public buildings in Washington including, the Treasury, the Capitol and the Presidential Mansion were all set alight. The red sky over Washington could be seen 40 miles away in Baltimore. During the night a thunderstorm rolled in which doused some of the fires and preventing the complete destruction of the Presidential Mansion amongst others. The following day, with most of the public buildings ruined, the British departed. Shortly afterwards, the USA and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent, ending the war. Britain and the USA have never gone to war with each other since. #burningofwashington #warof1812 #burningofwashingtondc Chapters 0:00 The Burning of Washington D.C. August 1814 0:50 Why did the burning of Washington happen? 2:08 Chesapeake Campaign 5:56 Battle of Blandensburg 10:18 What happened at the burning of Washington? 13:25 How did burning of Washington end? 14:30 What happened after the burning of Washington DC? 17:18 The History Chap Join my Supporter’s Club Follow me at: Instagram: Facebook: My name is Chris Green (“The History Chap“) and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: “Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!“ Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the ’Comments’ section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the ’Comments’ section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.